» 13 :: Jun :: 2010

U10 TIGERS TAKE ON ALL COMERS AT HAYDEN TOURNAMENT

In recent weeks the U10's Tigers have had 2 teams in the Tournaments that we have entered. This week was to be no different, or so we thought....

The Greens got off to a very slow start, drawing 0-0 with the Hosts, Darent River and Footscray Lions. No goals but solid defending from Callum and Ryan at the back meant James had very little to do. When he did, The Tigers most improved player was as safe as ever.

A win against Fleetwood was a must or the Greens would be out! It loked as if they were destined not to score, when Fleetwood were saved by the woodwork and they cleared off the line. Eman scored the 1st when he slotted home from close range. Reagan sealed the win with an excellent shot, and the Greens were off the mark. Squeezing through by the skin of their teeth, they faced Footscray Lions again in their Quarter final. A 1-0 win came thanks to a superb over head kick from Grant, who was lucky to come out ounscathed from the bundle that ensued. CK had a great game totally dominating the left.

The Semi final was a hard fought game against Blackheath Wanderers, and ended with a penalty shoot out. James was the Hero of the hour and stopped 2 of the 4 pens that he faced. The Greens had made it to yet another final.

But what of the Reds?

Well the Reds topped their group winning 3 games out of 4 and fielded 3 different Goal Keepers.

Their 1st game was against Dartford YMCA and a 2-0 win was richly deserved after they dominated the game. The goals game from Adam and Didi and were both terrific efforts. Their 2nd match was a similar effort with a 2-0 victory over Hayden thanks to Jamies fantastic free kick and his 2nd a sweetly converted penalty. Special mention to the 2 stand in Goalies who kept Teles space warm, when his arrival was delayed. Alex and Thomas were quite superb between the posts.

A defeat at the hands of Kingfisher was not enough to dappen their spirits and the reds finished the group stage with a 1-0 win over Invicta thanks to a great effort from Billy.

The Reds took on Eltham Lions in the Quarter Final and despite being injured Adam managed to put away the goal that sealed the Reds journey to the Semis.

Could we really be looking at an all Phoenix final?

The Reds came up against Darent Green, and after a hard thought match that saw Joe and Jamie play out of their boots in defence, a penalty shoot out was to decide the result. The Reds spot kicks were 1st class and they took the game.

We had all dreamed it and here it was, AN ALL PHOENIX FINAL.

Loyalties were divided, words were crossed and there was a clear line drawn. At least with the parents anyway.

The boys played a great game in amazing spirit. Yet again Jamie and Joe defended like their lives depended on it, and Tele pulled off some terrific saves, denying the Greens again and again on a day that was proving difficult for the Greens.

With a minute to go, Luke pounced on a shot from Billy and sent it far from James' reach and into the back of the net. The Greens responded with valour, but were yet again denied by Tele, and the Trophy belonged to the Reds.

A terrific days football and Medals all round. SUPERB